Ektaylor

I am wondering what the possibilities are for a recent college graduate with a BA in political science from a top-ranked school to work, live, and possibly study in England in ways that would add meaningfully to my resume before returning to the States for a MPP or JD.

I am graduating in May of 2010 from UC Berkeley, and am looking now what my prospects are. My resume fares relatively well (a couple internships with local and state politicians, some volunteer work, and most notably a prestigious fellowship with a prominent public affairs forum) and my GPA is 3.8+. I have recently reconsidered a few things, and would like to spend some time in England after I graduate mainly to experience the culture and find out—so to speak—where I came from (I’m second generation).

My original plan was to complete a Teach For America program to gain the leadership skills and general maturity I think is so often missing in first year law students (assuming I go the JD route) and which is more-or-less required for top-ranked MPP programs. With an MPP or JD in mind, what is the best course of action to take if I would like to move to England to work (which is more what I am leaning toward) or study (Oxbridge/LSE ) to meaningfully contribute—similar to what TFA would provide—to my resume.

note: I’m not exactly sure if this is the best forum to ask, so I've cross-posted this in the graduate school and job/internship forum.

Dionysus58

The UK has the Teach First program which sounds more or less the same as TFA. I'm not sure if they take foreign students but its worth a look. Assuming you could and did do that, you would work here for two years and leave with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

cupcake

Your problem will be visa issues.

If you were accepted on a graduate programme you would get a student visa. This would enable you to work part-time (up to 20 hours a week). Realistically this wouldn't enable you to earn enough money to actually fund you studies, and probably you would have to pay tuition fees in advance anyway. So if you go this route, you need to be able to pay, or find a scholarship (usually originating in the US. UK schools generally do not offer financial aid to overseas students. There is a bit more for graduate students).

Just turning up and looking for a job is a bad idea! You would not be elligible to work if you entered the country as a tourist. The easiest way to get a work visa would be to arrange employment before you leave the US. Then your employer will help you get a visa (do NOT just turn up and tell immigration you are looking for work......).

There are also some schemes which help you get an internship in the UK short term, such as BUNAC which I have linked below.

Intern in Britain

This is the teach first programme which was discussed above.

Teach First

I am not sure if you are elligible for it because you have not graduated from a UK univeristy. Also, I am not sure that a UK teaching qualification will be recognised in any way in the US. I would email them and ask before applying.

If you just want to volunteer, and won't be paid, you can enter the UK for up to 6 months with no visa.

If you are in some way elligible for UK citizenship (or in fact citizenship of most - but not all - EU countries. I think there are some issues if you are Romanian/Bulgarian) apply for a passport and your problems will be over. It sounds like you might be if your grandparenst were British. You will be able to stay/study/work without restriction. This also opens up a whole world of generously funded PhD programmes as well (it did for me!). However, there are a LOT more places in sciences as opposed to arts.

thatgirltoo

I think there are some internship and volunteer opportunities for students or recent graduates from the US who are under 30 years old. However, you might have to pay for them.

I just recently learned that if you graduate with a 1 year masters in the UK, you are eligible to apply for a 2 year work visa. I don't think they'll automatically give it to just anyone, but the grad school advisers I spoke to said it is more likely that one will get the visa than not. This is what I'm hoping for...

If you are serious about moving to the UK, but not on an education angle, there are lots of expat forums that will offer advice. Like cupcake said, if you are at all eligible to apply for a British passport, and it sounds like you might be, the entire European world could be open to you. There will be a lot more info about that on an expat forum.

Ektaylor

Hey Syd, thanks for the information. Still at ihouse?

Anyway, as I can best garner, I do qualify for UK Ancestry Entry Clearance due to my grandparents' birth in England which grants at least a 5 year visa. I guess I'll check out the expat forums for more information.

jhill97

In order to work in the UK you definitely need a visa. In order to remain in the UK for an extended period of time, you also need a visa. One of my relatives just graduated law school and he is currently working in Dubai and he loves it. He is able to work in a more advanced position there than he would be here and he is supposed to eventually open their ny office. I suggest going abroad to work, but without your grad degree, you will still be limited with what you can do. However, it tends to open great opportunities.